What the Papers Say

Change proves Price is right for job

West Australians can expect a renewed emphasis on their environment in Canberra as the new Environment Minister has offices in Geraldton, Merredin and Broome.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promoted Member for Durack Melissa Price to Minister for the Environment in a cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Price previously held the portfolio as Assistant Minister helping then Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg.

The two portfolios have now been separated which means she becomes a full minister in the Morrison cabinet.

Ms Price said she represented an "incredibly diverse" regional electorate that covered roughly half of Western Australia, where about 20 per cent of all threatened species in Australia were found.

In her role as Assistant Minister she said her responsibilities included reviewing the national waste management strategy, preserving Australia's biodiversity and delivering targets under the Threatened Species Strategy.

Ms Price also oversaw the transition to new management plans for marine reserves.

"I am proud of the work achieved during my tenure as the Assistant Minister, particularly in setting ambitious national targets to reduce Australia's waste and encourage industry to transition to more sustainable practices," she said.

"It is a great privilege to take full responsibility for this portfolio and I welcome the opportunity to continue the Government's work in delivering a cleaner future for Australia.

"The restoration of Environment as a stand-alone ministry will allow me to focus solely on delivering better outcomes for Australia's unique natural assets."